Are you looking for impactful resume action words and power verbs?

Correctly using relevant action words and power verbs can put you light years ahead in your job search.

If you write your experiences in the resume like the following, you need to read this guide:

  • 'I am an excellent team player...'
  • 'I was responsible for managing...'

Instead of these generic words, you must use resume power verbs to make your resume all the more compelling.

Resume power verbs are words that help grab the reader's attention by clearly communicating your skills and experience. It also improves the wattage of your bullet points and improves readability.

Our 2023 Guide to Resume Words, focusing on Action Verbs Examples, will provide a detailed roadmap to shift your resume from 'oh well' to 'wow.'

You will get clarity on the following FAQs related to resume action words and power verbs:

What are Power Verbs or Resume Action Words?


Power verbs are action-based verbs with strong meaning in the English language compared to other verbs. If you use action words in a sentence, you become strong and confident.

In contrast, most resume bullet points start with the same words:

  • "Responsible"
  • "Managed"
  • "Held," etc.

These words are used so much that it has lost their meaning for the recruiters. So, to grab the recruiter's attention, it's important to use resume power verbs in the bullet points.

Also Read: How many bullet points should you add to your resume in 2023?

Why are Action Verbs Important for a Resume?


Action verbs are important because they help you communicate your strengths and experiences to the recruiter in a strong voice.

Let's see two examples:

With Power Verb:
Spearheaded the LinkedIn marketing campaign and increased revenue by 20%
With No Power Verb:
Responsible for managing LinkedIn marketing campaign to increase revenue by 20%

Which one do you think is the most effective?

Both the bullet points mean the same thing, but the first one is more impactful to the recruiters,

Given below are two examples of how to use action words on a resume:

BORING WOW!
**Possesses** excellent team management skills **Championed** a team of 15 to surpass KPI targets and secure the Top Rank out of 20 other regional teams
Armed with stellar negotiation skills **Spearheaded** negotiations for the Microsoft B2B Strategic Alliance to achieve a cost reduction of 22%

Also Read: How to create a compelling work experience section in your resume?

How to Use Action Verbs on a Resume?


A good resume is much more than a list of jobs with corresponding dates – it's a marketing document to show off your strengths and get you the job.

One of the most important elements of your resume is the action verbs (words that describe actions) you use. Action verbs make up your experience description; each should be relevant, concise, and targeted to a specific job.

1. Which Power Words Should You Use?


When using power verbs in your resume, it is important to choose measurable and relevant words for the job. This way, you can pair the power verb with a tangible achievement, for example, enhanced marketing ROI by 35%.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

  • Read the job description carefully, and identify the key responsibilities for the job
  • Determine which skills of yours match the job description
  • Look at power verbs to highlight these achievements in the resume

Also Read: What are some good resume synonyms for the word "teach"?

2. How Often Should You Use Power Words?


If you overdo the action verbs, then they will lose their value. The hiring manager might also think that you're trying too hard.

A general rule of thumb is to not use the same power verb in one "Work Experience" section twice.

3. Avoid Generic Resume Words


Generic action verbs are common on resumes. They don't make much of an impact. Instead, choose resume words representing a quantifiable achievement that is powerful, and dynamic, and show the employer how much of an impact you had on your previous company.

Also Read: How to say "innovative" in different ways on your professional documents?

4. Use Fresh Resume Action Verbs


Resumes are boring. You're not going to hook an employer with your vanilla resume and piles of text. That's why it's important to include the right words in your resume to make yourself stand out from the pack.

36 Fresh Resume Action Verbs Example

Accelerated Formalized Counseled Outpaced
Advocated Generated Critiqued Outperformed
Maintained Utilized Cultivated Pioneered
Amplified Investigated Devised Publicized
Authored Mentored Dispatched Remodeled
Centralized Mobilized Enabled Spearheaded
Charted Negotiated Incorporated Fostered
Designated Facilitated Engineered Transformed
Expedited Undertook Forecasted United

5. Avoid Passive Voice in Resume


We often unconsciously use the passive voice in resume writing, which can be difficult to detect. One simple way to tell the difference is to look at your verbs in the active voice. For example: If the verb in your sentence comprises two words ("was developed") or contains "to be" verbs such as "is," "are," and "were" (e.g., "were developed"), then you know the passive voice is at work.

By changing the passive voices to active voices, you will improve the readability of your resume.

Also Read: What skills should you include in your resume in 2023?

Kickass Resume Action Verbs to Replace Commonly Used Words


Strong Resume Words for 'Planning' or 'Strategic Planning.'


Administered  Developed  Formulated 
Prepared  Revised Anticipated 
Devised  Identified  Prioritized 
Strategize Commissioned  Evaluated 
Observed  Researched  Reserved
Determined  Forecasted  Tailored

Additionally, check out this great resource for more action verbs around 'Strategic Planning'

Also Read: 10+ Strategic synonyms that will elevate your reusme

Good Resume Words for 'Managing.'


Aligned Cultivated Directed
Enabled Facilitated Fostered
Guided Hired Inspired
Mentored Mobilized Motivated
Recruited Regulated Shaped
Supervised Taught Trained

 

Also Read: 10+ Synthesize synonyms

Strong Resume Words for 'Organizing.'


Acquired  Designated  Activated
Centralized Designed  Mapped out 
Scheduled Adjusted Facilitated
Ordered Charted Dispatched
Established  Secured Classified
Simplified Arranged  Implemented 
Procured  Assembled Contracted 
Incorporated  Programmed  Suggested
Assessed Coordinated  Instituted
Recruited Tracked Assigned 
Customized  Issued  Rectified 
Tracked Authorized  Delegated 

 

Also Read: Synonyms for the word "build" that you can use in resumes and cover letters

Good Resume Words for 'Supervising' or 'Leadership.'


Chaired Authorized Cultivated
Delegated Directed Enabled
Executed Facilitated Fostered
Guided Headed Hosted
Inspired Mentored Mobilized
Operated Orchestrated Oversaw
Spear­headed Trained Controlled 
Inspected Scrutinized Reviewed
Regulated Refined Oversaw
Overhauled Monitored Maintained

 

Also Read: 10 unique ways to say "teamwork" on a resume

Strong Resume Words for 'Executing' or 'Worked on' or 'Handled.'


Arranged Compiled Composed
Constructed Created Developed
Engaged In Fashioned Forged
Acted Administered Conducted
Formulated Made Progress On Operated
Organized Performed Prepared
Perfected Put Together Set Up
Undertook Trained Exercised
Inspected Scrutinized Reviewed
Regulated Refined Oversaw
Overhauled Monitored Maintained
Pursued Processed Controlled 

 

Also Read: "Contribute" synonyms

Good Resume Words for 'Communication.'


Advocated Authored Clarified
Composed Consulted Conveyed
Convinced Corresponded Defined
Explained Fielded Illustrated
Influenced Informed Mediated
Moderated Negotiated Promoted
Persuaded Publicized Transmitted
Systematized Synthesised Surveyed
Summarized Substantiated Solicited
Specified Sanctioned Represented
Reported Rendered Reinforced
Perceived Presented Marketed
Interpreted Instructed Inferred
Educated Trained Drafted
Demonstrated Deliberated Brainstormed
Arbitrated Briefed Interfaced

 

Also Read: 10+ Synonyms for "motivate"

Strong Resume Words for 'Helping.'


Aided  Bolstered  Eased 
Familiarized Prescribed  Accommodated 
Coached  Elevated  Provided
Saved Advised  Validated
Enabled  Interceded Protected 
Served Alleviated  Cooperated 
Endorsed  Mobilized  Rehabilitated 
Sustained Assisted Counseled 
Enhanced Modeled Relieved
Tutored Assured Dealt
Enriched Polished  Rescued 

 

Good Resume Words for 'Creativity' or 'Problem Solving.'


Altered Drafted Overhauled
Built Enhanced Patched
Corrected Established Piloted
Crafted Fashioned Pioneered
Designed Conceived Rebuilt
Determined Initiated Resolved
Devised Invented Brainstormed
Theorized Synthesized Revitalized
Revamped Remedied Investigated
Remodeled Formulated Engineered
Deciphered Debugged Conceptualized

 

Strong Resume Words for 'Responsible for' or 'Getting Results'


Accomplished Operated Targeted
Acquired Partnered Rejuvenated
Achieved Performed Reduced / Minimized
Acted As Prepared Realized
Created Produced Qualified
Finished Secured Qualified
Forged Succeeded In Orchestrated
Navigated Undertook Launched
Negotiated Integrated Innovated
Integrated Generated Expedited
Excelled Eliminated Demonstrated 

 

Hiration pro tip:
Try to use different power verbs in your resume to draw the recruiter's attention.

Good Resume Words for 'Team Player'


United Assimilated Acknowledged
Coalesced Collaborated Contributed
Diversified Embraced Encouraged
Energized Blended Harmonized
Ignited Joined Volunteered
Merged Participated Partnered

 

Also Read: Which keywords should you use in your resume in 2023?

resume-action-words-and-power-verbs

Resume Buzzwords: 2023 List of Resume Verbs to Include and Avoid


What to Avoid What to Include Tips
Hard Worker Achieved Mention instances to demonstrate your achievements
Creative/Outside the Box/Innovative Created Show, don't tell. Detail your creative endeavors with examples
Stellar Communicator Interfaced/Negotiated Detail how your communication skills benefitted the organization across specific domains
Responsible  Directed/Orchestrated Realign your resume from a responsibility-based document to an achievement-based one
Leadership Directed/Facilitated To morph what Tywin Lannister said, anyone who needs to say that he is a leader is no true leader 
Passionate Gained an in-depth understanding of A passion for learning triumphs over the passion for anything else in any professional environment. 
Strategic Thinker Strategy Formulation Showcase the strategies which you designed and the impact which it managed to deliver
Experienced Track record of The former is vague and gives no concrete information. Mention a track record of the most significant thing you've done instead, with performance figures to showcase the quantifiable impact
Go-getter Target-oriented Go and get what? Be specific and highlight the targets which you successfully achieved
Synergy Alliances/Teamwork It's not 2010 anymore
Go-to person SPOC Mention SPOC only if you were, but do try and see if you can avoid the former
Results-driven Data-driven The former is a generic term that is hard to quantify. However, it's easier to convince the recruiter that you rely on a data-driven approach by, surprise surprise, providing data. 

 

Also Read: How to write a stellar resume in 2023?

What are Some Resume Power Adjectives?


Power adjectives are a more sophisticated way of listing your achievements and skills when compared with power verbs because, unlike power verbs, you can use power adjectives beyond describing Professional Experience.

This section will show you how to use power adjectives effectively in different resume sections.

Use Power Adjectives in Resume Summary


A resume summary is the first paragraph the recruiter sees in your resume. It’s used to grab the recruiter’s attention to read the whole resume.

And power adjectives can help you do that if you effectively add them to the resume summary.

With Power Adjective:
  • Certified Cybersecurity professional with 4+ years of extensive experience adept at providing meticulous leadership and network infrastructure support by ensuring all systems and databases are up-to-date.
With No Power Adjective:
  • Certified Cybersecurity professional with 4+ years of experience adept at providing network infrastructure support by ensuring all systems and databases are up-to-date.

Power Adjective in Professional Experience Section


The professional experience section is the heart of the resume. And using power adjectives in a resume can help you hold the recruiter’s attention.

With Power Adjective:
Developed **sustained** relationships with vendors, resulting in **higher** profit margins and happier customers
With No Power Adjective:
Developed relationships with vendors, resulting in increased profit margins

Also Read: What are some great examples of resume summaries for various job profiles?

Best Power Adjective for Resume


Given below are some power verbs which are categorized based on different soft skills:

Power Adjective for Creativity


Cutting-edge First-class
Imaginative Innovative
Novel Revolutionary
Sophisticated Groundbreaking
Elegant Unprecedented
Ingenious Inventive
Progressive World-class
Unique Robust

Power Adjective for Productivity


Accomplished Economical
Instrumental Productive
Adept Fluent
Competent Profitable
Significant Cost-effective
Quality Smooth
Constructive Industrious
Superior -

Power Adjective for Dedication


Committed Devoted
Genuine Sincere
Dedicated Determined
Keen Passionate
Spirited Energetic

Power Adjective for Hard Work


Motivated Alert
Thorough Driven
Enterprising Attentive
Persistent Tireless
Concerted Focused
Studious Vigorous

Power Adjective for Organization Skills


Detail-oriented Smooth
Systematic Controlled
Orderly Timely
Detailed Precise
Structured -

Also Read: How to use resume buzzwords the right way?

Frequently Asked Questions


What Are The Top 20 Resume Power Words?


resume power verbs

What are Some Resume Buzz Words 2023 to Leave Off Your Resume?


You need to ensure that you’re not using popular Resume Buzz Words 2023 on your resume.

The resume already has limited space. So choose your words carefully to maximize the impact on recruiters.

Here are some Buzz Words 2023 to Leave Off Your Resume:

  • Expert
  • Creative
  • Hard-working
  • Innovative
  • Leader
  • Manage
  • Responsible
  • Team Player
  • Working on
  • Result-driven
  • Specialized
  • Problem-solving

Why Do We Need to Add Power Verbs in a Resume?


When applying for a job, a candidate needs to appear confident and competent, so using power verbs helps you communicate your message more powerfully, confidently, and convincingly.

How to choose power verbs?
Choose a power verb that describes your work most accurately. The aim is to convey what you’ve done in your previous jobs that led to measurable results.

Also Read: What are some of the best jobs for retired people?

Key Takeaways


To recap everything that we discussed till now:

  • Action verbs for resume are different from resume keywords. The latter pertains to professional job skills which the recruiter is looking for. The former helps to realign your resume from responsibility-based to achievement-based.
  • Simply stuffing your resume with action verbs will do you no good. It's always better to validate everything you say with quantifiable instances and achievements.
  • If everyone's special, no one's special. Resume buzzwords come and go with each passing season, and it's critical to be aware of the trend. Our section on the 2023 Guide to Resume Keywords will give you an idea of which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
  • Use our extensive compendium of action verbs for resume grouped by resume skills to revamp your resume!

Go to Hiration's ChatGPT-powered career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at support{@}hiration{dot}com.

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